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    Rose Cardamom Shortbread Cookies

    Feb 28, 2023 This post may contain affiliate links.

    Gentle rose petals and crushed cardamom pair come together like a match made in heaven in our perfect crumb shortbread cookies. With a soft pink rose water glaze, they may just be your valentine this year.

    rose cardamom shortbread

    We have family visiting and finally visited Nizwa. I swear the streets of Nizwa smell like Cardamom ! With valentines day right around the corner, I was inspired to make some cookies that highlighted the gorgeous scents and flavors I'm encapsulated by here in Oman. A recipe for keepsake, to hold dear to my heart for years to come.

    vintage spoon with silver rose at the end filled with granulated sugar and specks of rose petals

    I dare anyone who "doesn't enjoy rose" in recipes to try these cookies! The rose is so delicate and well balanced between the spice and slightly salty buttery crumb of the shortbread.

    Why you'll love this recipe:

    • Our shortbread recipe is tried and true, perfect for rolling out and cutting shapes. It doesn't spread or require chilling. Though it's not discouraged. It just won't improve the cookies in anyway. Trust me, I've made these more than you want to know.
    • The flavor is unique, impress your loved ones with something new and special.
    • It uses rose water and crushed rose petals for flavor and specks. The rose petals can absolutely be omitted, but keep the rose water for it's delicate flavor.
    • Even those who "don't enjoy rose" flavor like this cookie!

    rose cardamom shortbread 16

    Ingredients you'll need:

    rose cardamom shortbread 2

    cookies:

    • 1 cup butter softened (salted) (225 grams)
    • ½ cup icing / powdered sugar (60 grams)
    • 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
    • ½ cup corn starch (68 grams)
    • 1 pinch salt
    • 2 cups all purpose flour (260 grams)
    • 1 tablespoon dried organic rose petals
    • 1 teaspoon ground cardamom
    • 1 tablespoon rose water*
    • 1 tablespoon Vanilla extract or the beans of 1 vanilla bean pod
    rose cardamom shortbread 10

    Rose water icing:

    • 1 cup icing sugar (125 grams)
    • 1 teaspoon dried cardamom
    • 1 tablespoon rose water*
    • ¼ cup milk (4 tablespoons, 57 grams)
    • Pink or red food coloring - as much as you'd like to get your desired color. We used one drop of pink. (optional)

    Note about rose water + rose petals: You can find rose water at online, or at most large grocery stores in the beverage isle. You can even make rose water at home with our recipe. You can use dried organic roses from your garden (read my guide on sourcing edible flowers for your baked goods) or online. Here in Oman I get them directly from the grocery store or souk.

    How to make them:

    Cookies:

    • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F or 176 C.
    • Start by making a rose cardamom sugar, where all of your flavor will come from. Do this by grinding up your granulated sugar, rose petals and cardamom together. I use a mortar and pestle, but a food processor or blender works great too. Add your powdered sugar and mix.
    • Cream butter with your rose cardamom sugar until well incorporated and fluffy. 
    • Sift in the flour and corn starch and gradually mix.
    • Add in your rose water
    • You will need to get your hands dirty and really mix well to incorporate all of the butter into the flour. Work it with your hands until the dough becomes a ball. At this point, you can chill the dough if you're not ready to bake, but it's not necessary with this dough.
    • On a lightly floured surface, roll out dough about ⅓ inch thick. Cut into desired shapes. I used an embossed rolling pin for the texture and heart cookie cutter.
    • Bake for 12 minutes. Longer if you want them golden brown and more crisp (my personal preference) But they should be done and have a nice crumb, and still be pale at 12 minutes if your oven temperature is correct. Let cookies cool on cookie sheets for 5 minutes, then transfer to wire rack.
    • Let them cool completely and make your icing.

    rose cardamom shortbread 11

    Combine all ingredients in a medium bowl until it has a smooth and runny consistency. If it needs to be thinned more, add a few more drops of milk.

    Paint the icing onto your cookies after they have cooled.

    vintage spoon with silver rose at the end filled with granulated sugar and specks of rose petals
    1. Make rose cardamom sugar
    rose cardamom shortbread 4
    2. Cream butter and sugar together
    rose cardamom shortbread 6
    3. Sift in flour and corn starch
    rose cardamom shortbread 7
    4. Add in rose water
    rose cardamom shortbread 5
    5. Mix until well inc
    rose cardamom shortbread 8
    6. Form dough, chill or bake right away
    rose cardamom shortbread 9
    7. Roll out dough and cut shapes
    rose cardamom shortbread 12
    8. Make rose water and cardamom icing
    rose cardamom shortbread 13
    9. Ice cookies and enjoy!

    rose cardamom shortbread 14

    Frequently asked questions:

    Should you sift flour when making shortbread?

    We recommend sifting flour for all baked goods to break up any clumps. It’s especially a good idea in this in a recipe like this that has such few ingredients. However, if you don’t have a sifter, you can skip this step.

    Why is my shortbread too soft?

    Shortbread contains a high amount of butter, so if you find your shortbread too soft, make sure you've chilled your dough before baking. This will allow the butter to harden up a bit. It's also always a good idea to measure ingredients by weight to ensure you have the correct amount of flour to butter ratio. 

    Do I need to poke holes in my shortbread with a fork?

    Forking shortbread is not necessary, but it prevents the butter from bubbling. This shortbread recipe does not require forking. 

    How should I store shortbread cookies?

    Because shortbreads have a high fat content, they must be handled carefully to prevent crumbling. To store, arrange your cookies in a single layer, adding a piece of parchment or waxed paper between layers.

    How long will shortbread last?

    Shortbread cookies keep longer than most other cookies, making them perfect for edible gifts or when you need to make something ahead. They even taste better the next day or two after you bake them! They will keep in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 weeks or in the freezer for up to three months.

    Where can I find rose water or rose petals for this recipe?

    You can find rose water at online, or at most large grocery stores in the beverage isle. You can even make rose water at home with our recipe.

    overhead shot of heart shaped cookies with embossed shapes and pink glaze next to a bouquet of pink roses and garden scissors

    Rose Petal Cardamom Shortbread

    All recipes by Sarah Buckley
    Gentle rose petals and crushed cardamom pair come together like a match made in heaven in our perfect crumb shortbread cookies. With a soft pink rose water glaze, they may just be your valentine this year.
    5 from 4 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 mins
    Cook Time 12 mins
    Additional Time 10 mins
    Total Time 32 mins
    Course Cookies
    Cuisine American
    Servings 20 cookies
    Calories 145 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • Cookies:
    • 1 cup butter softened salted (225 grams)
    • ½ cup icing / powdered sugar 60 grams
    • 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
    • ½ cup corn starch 68 grams
    • 1 pinch salt
    • 2 cups all purpose flour 260 grams
    • 1 tablespoon dried organic rose petals
    • 1 teaspoon ground cardamom
    • 1 tablespoon rose water
    • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract or the beans of 1 vanilla bean pod
    • Rose water icing:
    • 1 cup icing sugar 125 grams
    • 1 teaspoon dried cardamom
    • 1 tablespoon rose water
    • ¼ cup milk 4 tablespoons, 57 grams
    • Pink food coloring optional

    Instructions
     

    Cookies:

    • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F or 176 C
    • Start by making a rose cardamom sugar, where all of your flavor will come from. Do this by grinding up your granulated sugar, rose petals and cardamom together. I use a mortar and pestle, but a food processor or blender works great too. Add your powdered sugar and mix
    • Cream butter with your rose cardamom sugar until well incorporated and fluffy.
      Sift in the flour and corn starch and gradually mix
    • Add in your rose water
    • You will need to get your hands dirty and really mix well to incorporate all of the butter into the flour. Work it with your hands until the dough becomes a ball. At this point, you can chill the dough if you're not ready to bake, but it's not necessary with this dough
    • On a lightly floured surface, roll out dough about ⅓ inch thick. Cut into desired shapes. I used an embossed rolling pin for the texture and heart cookie cutter
    • Bake for 12 minutes. Longer if you want them golden brown and more crisp (my personal preference) But they should be done and have a nice crumb, and still be pale at 12 minutes if your oven temperature is correct
    • Let cookies cool on cookie sheets for 5 minutes, then transfer to wire rack.
      Let them cool completely and make your icing

    Icing:

    • Combine all ingredients in a medium bowl until it has a smooth and runny consistency. If it needs to be thinned more, add a few more drops of milk.
    • Paint the icing onto your cookies after they have cooled.

    Notes

    How should I store shortbread cookies?
    Because shortbreads have a high fat content, they must be handled carefully to prevent crumbling. To store, arrange your cookies in a single layer, adding a piece of parchment or waxed paper between layers.
    How long will shortbread last?
    Shortbread cookies keep longer than most other cookies, making them perfect for edible gifts or when you need to make something ahead. They even taste better the next day or two after you bake them! They will keep in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 weeks or in the freezer for up to three months.
    Where can I find organic rose petals?
    I have an entire post dedicated to sourcing organic flowers for your baked goods, you can also find them on amazon, we often use this brand.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1gCalories: 145kcalCarbohydrates: 24gProtein: 2gSugar: 13g
    Keyword rose petal shortbread, rose shortbread, rose water shortbread
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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    About sarah

    Sarah Buckley is the go-to expert for anyone looking to add some botanical flair and creativity in their kitchen. She is a master gardener, herbalist, edible flower expert, professional food photographer and recipe developer. She teaches people how to use botanicals creatively with their culinary work from the garden to table to or apothecary, ensuring they're using safe practices throughout all aspects of plant handling.

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